Polanco Doubles 106 MPH in Dominican Winter Debut
Free agent Gregory Polanco returned to the Dominican Winter League for the first time in six years with a 106-mph double.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Baseball
Gregory Polanco hit a 106-mph double on Monday in his first Dominican Winter League game in six years. The 35-year-old free agent has played in Japan with the Yomiuri Giants and Chiba Lotte Marines.
Why it matters
The game offers a visible data point on Polanco's bat as he seeks his next contract this winter. Polanco is expected to look for another starting opportunity in Asia, though a minor league deal with an MLB team remains possible if no Asian offer materializes.
The double was struck at 106 mph in a single game, a figure drawn from one at-bat rather than a season sample. Polanco's Pittsburgh career spanned 823 games with a .241/.309/.409 line and 96 home runs, while his first three Japan seasons produced 73 home runs, and his next contract remains unresolved.
The players
Gregory Polanco
A Dominican outfielder who spent eight MLB seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and later played in Japan's NPB.
Yomiuri Giants
A professional baseball club based in Tokyo that competes in Japan's Central League.
Chiba Lotte Marines
A professional baseball club based in Chiba, Japan, that competes in the Pacific League.
The details
Polanco, now 35, hit the double on Monday in his first Dominican Winter League appearance since 2020. He spent one season with the Yomiuri Giants and four with the Chiba Lotte Marines before his current free agency.
Timeline
2014-2021: Polanco plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Monday, November 9, 2026: Polanco hits the 106-mph double in the Dominican Winter League.
Career Trajectory
Polanco's move from Pittsburgh to Japan follows a path several former MLB outfielders have taken to extend their careers outside the majors. His Dominican return now places him in the same winter market where his next contract could be decided.
Fantasy managers tracking Polanco should note he is a free agent and that his next team, whether in Asia or MLB, will determine his playing time. The 106-mph double is a single data point, so projections should be updated only after his signing is confirmed.
The takeaway
A single 106-mph double can signal that a veteran still has power, but the market will judge Polanco by his next contract and playing time. Watch for an Asian club announcement or an MLB minor league deal as the clearest signals of his path.
Further reading
For more on how players like Polanco move between leagues, explore Baseball coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Sports.
